Blue skies, bright mood.

That BRIGHT blue sky we had, this weekend just gone! GLORIOUS!

Joyous it was. It's a rare event to have two consecutive days of blazing sunshine in these parts, but we had it, we did, we did! When we have good weather, it's sometimes difficult to take it in. I always feel slightly desperate, because I don't know when it's going to end, I don't want the sun to stop shining. So despite having to work over the weekend, nothing was going to stop us going out and about, and enjoying ourselves a little.

That meant going to the beach with the doggies, and taking my crochet scarf to work on, when we stopped for a coffee after our stroll.

A little light beachcombing was inevitable, plus some examination of bird's foot prints, aren't they so delicate? I think they must be Seagull foot prints.

I like beachcombing, never tire of it ever. The whole process of observing makes every shell, pebble or bit of driftwood something to be marvelled at.

These pebbles are smoother than my hands I've just noticed.

I like to search for the smoothest, flattest pebbles I can find, preferably ones with a single line of white running through them. I've got a 'growing' collection of these pebbles, which I sometimes arrange on a flat surface, admiring their simple beauty.

On Saturday morning I woke up, opened the shutters, and lay in bed watching huge meringue-like clouds drift by. That whole day the sky was full of picture-book cotton wool clouds, ever so plump and fluffy. A blue sky with big woolly clouds gliding past has to be the nicest sort of sky, don't you think? A sky without a cloud, whilst pretty, is not as interesting as one peppered with drifts and puffs of cotton wool.

Yes, we made time for relaxing. Coffees on the promenade when the weather is good is a must.

This weekend was jam-packed with events in our town. The Slow Food Festival was on, and it was Open Doors day, where we got to access buildings and parts of the town the public don't normally get to see. The town is surrounded by Elizabethan walls, and there are tunnels under the walls that are usually shut off, so we did a little scurrying through tunnels, and up dead-end staircases, which was fun, I love a good explore.

One of the highlights of the food festival was seeing the piglets. Some very happy piggies, with their enormous mothers.

We were looking at them, longing for a cuddle. Hugo did stroke one piglet, and said it was like touching silk.

And there was a stall selling handknitted items, made from Alpaca yarn. I forgot to photograph the delightful Alpacas, standing eyeing everyone up and looking soft and kissable. The owner says that some of them do give her kisses. I was mortified that all her yarn had sold out very quickly, and had to console myself with buying a pair of hand knitted fingerless gloves. They're very soft, and the colour is the most gorgeous slate grey. Apparently it's very difficult to breed Alpacas with a grey fleece, they mostly pop out of their mums in a white, brown, black or a mix of all of those colours. The grey is very covetable. My tag that accompanied my gloves explained the yarn used in my gloves comes from Kate (who is apparently a bit grumpy, despite her beautiful grey coat). The husband and wife who run Barnacre Alpacas were lovely. They give all their Alpacas names, and don't have more than fifty in their herd, so they have time for each animal.

Well, dear readers, I must be off, I've got things to do and things on the brew. See you on Wednesday. Love Vanessa xxx

Such cute piglets! I saw piglets being born when I was about 9 and have loved them since. I live in the south England coast and I am a big beachcomber too. Sea glass is my all time favourite xox Looking forward to a hooky recipe for your scarf xox

It was lovely to chat at the weekend, I'm glad you like your fingerless gloves from Kate. I hope you liked to read a bit about Kate on our website. The boys were pleased to get home to the rest of the Barnacre herd Sunday evening.

I love alpacas, we "met" some at a village show in Dorset last year. Their fur is unbelievable. Shame all the yarn was sold out as I know you'd have made something wonderful but the gloves sound yummy. Sorry I have been pants at getting back to your email, Monday is always nasty busy for me with boring chores. Write tomorrow, promise.
Hen x

Vanessa, your scarf is a beauty, and all that your report about the weekend is making me very envious.

Isn't alpaca wool marvelous? I have not knitted with it, but am lucky in my job to be able to wear gorgeous soft alpaca sweaters ... pretty much for free. All the same, I would like to find out what it is like to actually knit and purl it.

Those pictures taken along the beach are wonderful ... really giving a breath of fresh air to this city person.

We have a flock (herd?) of Alpacas living down the road and the yarn is amazing. So soft. And piglets next door, but not shampooed and shiny like your little darlings! Looks like a lovely day out! Penny x

Hi Vanessa,
What a lovely weekend you had. I would love to live by the sea or near some water. There is a lake about 30 mins away from us, Hollingworth Lake, and we sometimes go and just sit and look at the water. I sometimes take my knitting with me. I love it.
I would love to knit something in alpaca wool.
Love Carole from Rossendale xxxxx

That beautiful summer sun has well and truly gone away from here. blustering winds and rainy showers are here to stay it would seem. But on a happier note I wanted to say I've given you a mention on my blog as your fair isle dress inspired me to try some fair isle of my own: http://craftyjemima.blogspot.com/2010/09/fair-isle-fun.html
Thanks!
Nerys x

Hello and welcome!

Hello, my name is Vanessa Cabban, and I'm so pleased you've dropped by! I'm an artist and illustrator, working from home. I have two Miniature wire-haired Dachshunds, Ellie and Douglas. I love being part of the blogosphere, reading your comments, and feeling like I'm part of a community. I hope you enjoy reading about my small world.

copyright notice

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT MY BLOG AND WORK:Please note that the photos and text, my creations and my art shown on my blog are copyrighted and may not be copied, in whole or in part, without my express permission. Patterns and techniques shown in my tutorials may be followed but for personal use only and not for commercial reward. Thank you.